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Perhaps no other animal has managed to evoke such a range of emotions in us as the tiger. Our relationship with the big cat is complex, to say the least.​We’ve loved them. We’ve hated them. We want to protect them. We want to protect ourselves from them. ​

Steeped in history and culture, tigers have been a symbol of strength, virtue, and even the divine. In India, tigers appear in ancient texts and religious depictions. Tiger expert Valmik Thapar notes how the Hindu goddess Durga has been portrayed riding a tiger. Meanwhile, in China, the tiger has long held cultural significance and is one of the 12 animals associated with the Chinese lunar calendar.​However, reverence for tigers, along with their numbers, began to dwindle with the rise of industrialization and expanding human populations. The resulting competition for land and resources pit tigers and people against one another. The big cat went from being admired to being seen as an unwelcome guest.

New technology was also a catalyst for the rise in trophy hunting, ushering in a massive power shift. Tigers were no longer to be feared. They were to fear us. Furthermore, the majestic creatures were downgraded to mere objects for us to use and trade. Ironically, while people no longer saw living tigers as valuable or auspicious, the belief in the power of their body parts, including their teeth, claws, fur, and bones, made them prime targets.

​Coupled with habitat loss, poaching decimated tiger populations. By the end of the 20th century, all subspecies had either been wiped out or were on the brink of extinction. ​

​Fortunately for tigers, and for us, global environmental movements gained traction before the big cats were eradicated completely. In recent decades, we’ve continued to see a wave of conservation efforts. And while those same threats remain, tiger numbers in many places are rebounding thanks to anti-poaching efforts, the creation of reserves, and the animal’s protected status. ​Our view of tigers, however, is still evolving in a way that could undermine what we’ve accomplished in conservation. The newfound affinity we have for these animals has led us down a slippery slope toward exploitation with tigers now forced to pose with tourists for selfies.

In the end, establishing a balanced view and relationship with tigers will no doubt take more time and effort. But with growing awareness about conservation and the vital role tigers play in ecosystems, there is hope that we can coexist peacefully with the big cats while also giving them the respect they so rightfully deserve.

Have you ever heard of the song "eye of the tiger"? I mean, surely people have heard of this truly wonderful song. It was originally the theme for the boxing film, Rocky. I think the main reason why the song was very catchy, is because the awesome depiction and the message that it conveyed. The tiger's eyes are truly magnificent. It shows how prideful they are. It shows their hunger for victory and how confident they are that they are the best.